October 30, 2013

Jason Witten on Dez Bryant: There's not a guy that you love playing more with on Sundays

The Dez Bryant story continues to trigger debate about
whether the Dallas Cowboys’ star receiver needs to settle down his sideline
outbursts, but Jason Witten reiterated Wednesday that he has no issues with it.

“There’s not a guy that you love playing more with on Sundays
than Dez Bryant,” Witten
said.

Bryant, Witten
and inactive defensive end DeMarcus Ware were involved in a heated argument
late in Sunday’s 31-30 loss to the Lions. The conversation focused on Witten and Ware trying to
get Bryant focused on the game, as the Cowboys still had one last chance with
12 seconds left.

It was the second animated encounter Bryant had during the
game. He also had a “passionate” discussion with Tony Romo earlier in the
second half.

“That happens to all of us,” Witten said. “There have been times when we
all get frustrated and get loud. There’s a lot of energy and sometimes guys
have to say, ‘Hey, slow down, Jason, we have to move on.’ That happens to all
of us. It just happened to be seen on TV.

“There’s pretty fiery guys on this team. There’s a lot of
passion. That’s what it takes to play. It’s a close-knit group. That’s what
makes these losses tough is that you want it so bad for each other."

Bryant considers Witten
one of his mentors and views him as a bigger brother. Witten feels the same way, saying: “It’s been
an honor to watch him develop into the player and the person that he’s become,
really an elite player at his position and what he does.”